Being approved by all deputies, the council issued a resolution on tough measures to deal with illegal races.

Accordingly, the HCM City People’s Committee will officially ask the National Assembly and the Government’s permission to experimentally seize motorbikes used by racers. While waiting for the decision of the National Assembly and the Government, the city will raise the fees for temporarily holding vehicles of racers from VND6,000 to VND500,000 ($25) per day. This will take effect as of March 11.

HCM City Police Agency’s vice director Ngo Minh Chau told correspondents after the meeting that if the National Assembly and the Government allow HCM City to confiscate vehicles of racers, the city would destroy these vehicles.

“This will make important impacts on the public opinion, especially racers,” Chau said. He added that the high fees for temporarily holding vehicles of racers will be valid until the Government permits the city to seize vehicles of racers.

The senior police officer emphasized the measure of prosecuting illegal racers. On February 28, the People’s Court of Binh Thanh District tried four illegal racers and the highest sentence was nine months in jail.

Chau said that Binh Thanh district’s police recently arrested two illegal racers on Vo Van Kiet avenue. These racers will be tried very soon.

The HCM City People’s Council also approved the “Year of Traffic Safety 2012” plan.